20th Hadith - The Feeling of Shame (Bukhari: 3483)

الحديث العشرون  

عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُوْدٍ عُقْبَةَ بِنْ عَمْرٍو الأَنْصَارِي الْبَدْرِي رَضِيَ الله عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ مِمَّا أَدْرَكَ النَّاسُ مِنْ كَلاَمِ النُّبُوَّةِ الأُوْلَى، إِذَا لَمْ تَسْتَحِ فَاصْنَعْ مَا شِئْتَ. 

[رواه البخاري ]

20th Hadith Translation

Abu-Masud-Uqbah-bin-Amr-Al-Ansari-Al-Badri (R.A.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

"Among the things that people have found from the words of the previous prophets was: 'If you feel no shame, then do as you wish.’” (Bukhari: 3483)

Brief Narration

The Arabic word 'Haya' can be translated as: modesty, shame, shyness or bashfulness. The word 'Haya' is derived from the word 'Al-Hayah', which means life, as if the person who has no 'Haya' (modesty) is like a dead person.

There are two aspects of 'Haya': Natural Haya and acquired Haya. The later is attained as a result of knowing and realizing the Glory of Allah and His attributes.